Terminal connector



Nov. 21, 1950 w. s. THOMAS 2,531,309

TERMINAL CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 19, 1948 Zmoentor Mu IAM Two/ms Patented Nov. 21, A 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TERMINAL CONNECTOR- William S. Thomas, Williamsport. Pa.,.- assignor,-

by mesne assignments, to Peter- Zayac. Johnson City. Joseph Marconi, Endicott, and Henry G. S'chIoer, Vestal, N. Y.;'a partnership Application October 19, 1948;}Serial No.55,360

(Cll 1'73-'259) 3 Claims. 1

This invention deals with terminal connectors of thetype commonly employed in anchoring one end' of a cable to the terminal post of a battery and is concerned. primarily with a connector which is capable oi. withstanding high pressure as it is clamped about the post,

To the end of clearly setting forth the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference is made to the co-pending application of William S. Thomas, Serial Number 7,173, filed February 9, 1948, and ent tled Battery Terminal Connector. In this application there is disclosed a connector which is intended to be improved by thepresent.ihvention..

Briefly referring to certainsalient features of said connector it is. noted. that the connector is designed for positive actuation both in clamping the jaws of theconnector about a terminal post and in. loosening the jaws from the post.

To provide this positive actuation,- the connector is formed with a pair of complemental jaws having confronting recesses which define the opening that receives the battery post. The main body portion of the jaws is made trom an appropriate metallic alloy which is fairly soft and which has the desired noncorrosive properties. Adjacent to the free end of. each jaw there is irnbedded therein a bushing of hard metal such as steel. These bushings are oppositely threaded and meeting therewith is a screw stem which is oppositely threaded for the respective bushings. This stem maybe rotated in one direction to draw the jaws together with a positive actuation and in an opposite direction to spread the jaws with an equally positive actuation."

Ithappensthat connectors of the type aforesaid are largely used in conjunction with the batteries and cables of motor vehicles; The mechanics and workmen who anchor the connectors to the battery posts are prompted'by d'esire to malrecertain that the connector is securely clamped to the post. Due to their zeal they often apply such force to the screw stem which is increased by the mechanical advantage of the threads to rupture'the. jaws at a: zone closely adjacent to the steel bushings;

With this condition in mind; the presentm vention has in View as its foremost obiective the provision. of a terminal connection of the type indicated which includes soft metallic jaws of an alloy with hard metal bushin s imbedded therein together with means for reenforcing. the jaws in the zones adjacent to the bushing.

More in detail, the inventionhasasaan object the provision, i-na connectorcof theltype-indie ated of a .reenforcing element in theform of a steel band which has one endanchored to one battery post opening and each free end of which is-ancho-red to thebushing in each of the respective jaws.

, From the foregoing it is apparent that in order for thereenforcing member to function properly it is necessary that each end. thereof be securely anchored to the respective bushing; Thus, an-

other object isto provide, in a connector of the typev indicated an eflective connection between each free end of the jaw and the respective bushing to which it is attached. This object may be accomplished by turning the end of the reenforcing member inwardly so'as'to afford a good surface engagement with the bushing and spot welding it thereto; It also may be accomplished by providin a mechanical interlock between: the end of the jaw and the bushing, and also by utilizing suchan interlock in combination with Welding.

In the connectors of this same general type heretofore provided, it has been the practice to form -'cne-of the bushings with a closed end. While such a closed end presents certain advantages, these are also attended with some difficulties, particularly in cutting the threads in the bushing. A further objectof the present invention is-to provide, in aconnector of the character aforesaid, a bushing assembly comprising two complemental bushings each of which has a bore extending entirely therethrough with-the bore of one of. the bushings closed by the end portion of the roan-forcing member which may be spot welded thereto. Thus, all of the advantageswhichattend the initial formation of the bore. through the entire bushing are provided ,while the subsequent closing of the bushing with the end of the reenforci-n member provides the closure which is necessary to prevent the molten alloy from flowing thereinto during the casting operation.

'In the bushing assembly of the application above referred to, a neck is" integrally formed with the -;al1oy body of: one: jaw and. this neck telescopes into a counterbore in the other jaw. This invention presents an improvement over this arrangement in that it has as an object the provision, in a connector of the type noted, of a bushing assembly including a pair of complemental bushings. One of these bushings is formed with a smooth bore, while the other is formed with an extension in the form of a neck which bridges the gap between the jaws and is telescopically received in the smooth bore.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will, in part become apparent, and in part be hereinbefore stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a battery terminal connector which includes a pair of complemental jaws, the main body portion of which is a soft, metallic alloy with the free end portions of the jaws having hard metallic bushings imbedded therein, and with a screw stem threaded into the bushings. The jaws are provided with a reenforcing member of U-shaped formation which encircles the battery post opening with each free end anchored to one of the bushings, so as, to prevent excessive pressure on the bushings from rupturing the jaws.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following decription and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a section through a batter terminal connector embodyin the improvements of this invention. This view is taken about on the plane represented by the line l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the connector shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is a detail top plan view, with parts broken away, of one modification of the bushing assembly and reenforcing member.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of another modification, and

Figure 5 is a view showing the reenforcing member in elevation with one of the bushings in section, this view being taken about on the plane represented by the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the battery terminal connector of this invention com rises two main parts which are integrally joined together. One of these is the jaw assembly referred to generall by the reference character J and the other the cable anchorage identified in its entirety by the reference character 0.

While the cable anchorage C is not particu arl pertinent to the present invention, it will be noted that it comprises a cylindrical extension I0 that is formed with a bore II and a counterbore l2. A threaded opening I3 is formed in one wall of the extension l0 and communicates with the bore ll.

' A sleeve M of a metal which is harder than the alloy from which the extension I 9 is cast and yet deformable in character, is snugly received in the bore I l. A screw 15 having a head 16 is threaded into the bore l3 and the inner end thereof engages the sleeve I4.

The end portion of a cable (not illustrated) will have the insulation stripped therefrom to of the bushing 21.

accommodated by the counterbore l2. The screw l5 may be tightened by using an appropriate tool in conjunction with the head l6 so as to apply pressure on the sleeve M which will deform the sleeve and cause it to tightly clamp the bared wires.

The jaw assembly J comprises two complemental jaws l1 and I8. The jaw I! has a face 19 which is opposed to the face 20 of the jaw l8. This face I9 is formed with a recess 2| while the face 20 is formed with a complemental recess 22. These recesses 2| and 22 cooperate to define the opening which receives the terminal post of a battery, and it will be noted that this opening has a slight taper as shown in Figure 1 to facilitate its being positioned on a battery post.

The jaw IT has an end portion 23 that is formed with a circular socket 24. Likewise, the jaw 13 has an end portion 25 formed with a circular passageway 26 which extends entirely therethrough, whereas, one end of the socket 24 is closed.

A bushing assembly is referred to in its entirety by the reference character B. This bushing assembly comprises a cup shaped bushing 2'! that is received in the socket 24 and which has a closed end as indicated at 28. This bushing 21 has a cylindrical extension 29 which extends beyond the face l9 and at least over to the face 20. The bushing is internally threaded as represented at 39.

At this point, it is well to note that both elements of the bushing assembly B are imbedded in the jaw structure J in such a manner as to be. securely anchored therein. For this purpose, the exterior surface of the bushing 21 is formed with ribs such as shown at 3| in Figure3. It is also important to note that while the main body portion of the bushing 21 is circular in formation, the ribs 3| present an outer contour providing flat faces such as that shown at 32. This fiat face 32 has an important function to be later described.

The bushing assembly B also includes a second bushing element indicated at 33. This member is received in the passageway 26 and has external ribs comparable to the ribs 3| which are imbedded in the alloy of the end portion 25 0f the jaw l8 and which ribs present a flat surface at 34. The bushing 33 has a smooth cylindrical bore at 35 which is complemental to and telescopically receives the neck 29. It also has an inner threaded section 36. At this point it is well to note that the threaded section 36 of the bushing 33 is of greater diameter than the threaded section 30 The importance of this will later become apparent. I

A screw stem is referred to in its entirety by the reference character S. This stem includes a threaded section 31 which is complemental to the threads 30 into which it is screwed and which is located at the free end of the stem S. Adjacent to this threaded section 31 is a smooth cylindrical section 38. Adjacent to this section 38 is another threaded section 39 which is complemental to and received in the threads 36. I

At this point it is well to note that the threads 30 and 3'! assume one direction while the threads 36 and 39 assume the opposite direction. Thus, the threads 3'! and 39 are what might be called oppositely threaded sections.

Adjacent to the threaded section 39 there is another smooth cylindrical section 40 which separates this section from a non-circular head 4| which is adapted for engagement by a wrench or suitable tool.

It is notable that the externaldiameter of the threaded section 31 is at least no greater than the root diameter of the threaded section 39. Thus, this section may be passed through the threads 36 without any engagement therewith so as to permit their being screwed into. the threads 38.

In the construction so far described the only bond between the bushings 2i and 33 is that provided by the ribs 3 i. It has been found from practical experience that if excessive rotative pressure is applied to the screw stem S, it will be transmitted through the threads with such force as to rupture one of the jaws H or I8 adjacent to the bushings. In order to prevent this, a reenforcing member is provided. This member is designated 42 and preferably takes the form of a U-shaped band having a width slightly less than the thickness of the jaws so as to permit it to be completely imbedded therein. Due to the U-shaped formation of the reenforcing member 42 there is a bend portion which partially encloses the batter post opening 2I-22. One free end of this member 42 is turned inwardly to provide an end flange 43 that engages the surface 32 to which it may be firmly anchored as by spot welding. In a similar manner, the other end of the member 42 is turned inwardly to provide an end flange 44 which engages the face 34 to which it is anchored by spot welding.

Operation While the operation of the above described connector is believed to be obvious and self-evident 1 from the description already set forth, it may be noted that a cable is first anchored to the cable connection at C in the manner described. The jaw section J is then positioned so that the opening 2l-22 receives the terminal post of a battery. An appropriate tool is now applied to the head A! of the screw stem S and rotated in a proper direction so that the oppositely threaded sections 31 and 39 draw the end portions 23 and of the yaws together. During this action, the neck 29 will telescope into the bore 35.

Should the operator, in his desire to make sure of a firm clamping engagement, apply excessive force to the screw stem S, the reenforcing member 42 will reenforce the jaws l1 and I8 so as to prevent their rupturing under such pressure. When occasion arises to remove the connector from the battery post, the tool is availed of to rotate the screw stem S in an opposite direction.

This provides for a spreading of the jaws with a positive actuation.

First modification Upon referring to Figure 3, a slightly modified form for one bushing of the bushing a sembly B will be described. In this embodiment the cup shaped bushing 27 is replaced by a bushing 45 having a threaded bore 46 extending entirely therethrough. However, after the threaded bore is formed it may be closed by an end portion 41 of the reenforcing member 42 which is spot welded to the end face of the bushing 45. In all other respects, the bushing assembly B and the reenforcing member 42 as well as the jaw structure J and connection 0 are the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

It is notable that the reenforcing member 42 may have a pair of tongues 43 struck from the bend portion thereof and which tongues are received within the sleeve M as is shown in Figure 1.

Second modification In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ends of the reenforcing member are formed with recesses 49 which receive the cir cular part of the bushings 21 and 33. These end portions are positioned between the ribs 3| so as to provide a mechanical interlock between the bushings and the reenforcing member. This interlock may be supplemented by spot welding if desired.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore set forth it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, devices, and mechanisms illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a battery terminal connector comprising a U-shapedbody member of soft metal defining an opening for receiving the terminal post and in its outer length portion, the inner length portion of said last bore opening towards said one bushing and being threadless and of a size as to telescopically receive with sliding clearance the reduced extension of said one bushing, the threads of said bushings being right and lefthand, respectively, a screw stem having right and lefthand threaded sections adapted to cooperate with the corresponding threads of said axially related bushings, and a U-shaped reinforcing member of spring metal partially encircling said opening and having legs permanently afiixed at their ends to said bushings.

2. A battery terminal connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the threaded bore of said one bushing extends entirely therethrough, and the end of one of the legs of said reinforcing memher is afiixed to the outer end face of said bushing to close the outer end of said bore.

3. A battery terminal connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ends of the legs of said U-shaped reinforcing member are each formed with a semi-circular recess adapted to provide a seat for the bushing to which said leg is affixed.

WILLIAM S. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 1,837,814 Grunwald Dec. 22, 1931 2,140,843 McGinnis et a1. Dec. 20, 1938 2,142,759 Plachy Jan. 3, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 820,629 France Aug. 2, 1937 

